Mark Bugnaski | Kalamazoo GazetteRon Lambe sits on the route #1 Westnedge transit bus bound for downtown Kalamazoo, after a five-minute wait while transferring at Crosstown Mall. Lambe, who heads Friends of Transit for Kalamazoo County, is legally blind and depends on the transit system. He says it's "on time, every time."

PORTAGE -- Full-fledged public bus service in Portage reaches a milestone this week, and a forum will be held Wednesday to discuss ridership trends during the first year of service.

Officials from the Kalamazoo Metro Transit System said passenger volumes on the three South Portage routes are showing promise, even though the city has a reputaton for its heavy reliance on personal vehicles.

Ridership has increased from 2,369 pickups in April 2007, the first month of service for the three routes, to 5,017 pickups in February. During that 11-month period, more than 44,500 pickups have been recorded in the three South Portage routes. The heaviest usage was in October, when more than 5,600 pickups took place.

An open forum about the system, including discussion on how to appeal to more Portage residents, will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Portage City Hall. The event is co-sponsored by the metro transit system, Kalamazoo County Transportation Authority, the city of Portage and Friends of Transit for Kalamazoo County.

At the end of this year, the metro transit system will fold and become the Kalamazoo County Transportation Authority. Bill Schomisch, KMTS transportation director, said the impending name and agency change will make public transportation a more viable option countywide.

Schomisch said service to South Portage was a big step for the agency.

"The industry standard for measuring whether a service is successful or not is typically one year, so we're at that point," Schomisch said. "I was a little disappointed the (February) promotion didn't draw more riders but it appears month by month the interest in public service in Portage is there."

Schomisch was referencing a "ride-and-win" scratch-off card given to Portage route riders. Top prizes were $500 and $100 shopping sprees. The agency in January mailed postcards announcing the promotion to many Portage households.

Ron Lambe, a Portage resident, heads Friends of Transit for Kalamazoo County. After being declared legally blind four years ago, Lambe said he immediately realized the need for public transportation in Portage. He championed the drive that led, in part, to the service that started here in April 2007.

Lambe said Portage ridership numbers are likely to increase with every price surge at the gas pump. The biggest obstacle, in his opinion, is apathy.

"I think most people know public transportation exists in Portage, they just aren't sure where to catch a bus and when," Lambe said, noting the agency's Web site (www.kmetro.com)cq gives a thorough explanation and map of the Portage routes.

Driver Carol Byrd, vice president of ATU Local 1093, said all drivers are savvy, approachable and knowledgeable. "People need to ask us if they want to know how to get somewhere," she said. "Don't worry, we don't bite."

Key to the agency's ability to maintain existing service is a millage renewal request on the November ballot. The authority has a five-year plan and mapped out its financial picture to get the most service from the least amount of money.

Portage Councilwoman Claudette Reid, the city's liaison to the KCTA, said Portage has too much to lose if it doesn't support the bus service -- both as passengers and at the polls later this year.

"(The service) is everyone's second car," Reid said. "We're starting to see much more of Metro's presence in Portage and that's something we've worked hard to offer here."